Knowing Your Value: Asking For A Raise

Are you worth a raise? There are some ways to find out if you are doing what you should to get one and, if you're not, how you can start earning one. The right approach is all you need to get the money that you deserve.

Know what your boss expects. Develop a rapport with your boss to get a feel for the way he or she wants things done. It doesn't hurt to have a sit down and ask what they expect of you in your position so you can make some clear goals (and then anything above that is extra credit!). Take on more responsibility where you can.

Prove yourself. You have to show that you are of value in order to expect your company to pay more for your work. How can you prove yourself more than you already do? Here are some ways you can create your value:

Have the answers that help others - Show that you know your job so well that you can guide others when they need it by sharing information freely with your co-workers. If you help others look good, it will show that you are interested in the greater good, rather than your own good.

Keep the peace - Don't partake in office gossip and try to be the neutral party who can see it from both sides if you must mediate. This will show that you have a diplomatic attitude and are a good fit for management in the future.

Be efficient - Great organization skills will help you to get more done and therefore produce more. It starts with your desk, then your computer files, and finally, the way you keep track of your daily goals.

Demonstrate great problem solving - Take a proactive approach to problems arise by tackling them to find a remedy, rather than just sitting by and watching others do it. Again, this will show that you have the ability to manage and take care of tough stuff.

What are your company's pay practices? Make sure you are aware of the usual pay scales and compensation policies which can vary from company to company. Look up what the up pay grades for your position so you know what to expect. This can usually be found in an employee handbook or on the company's intranet.

How should you ask for the raise once you know you have earned one? There are some different ways to go about it:

Come to the table with data - Literally illustrate for your boss what the pay trends are for your position and where you fit along that trend analysis. Be ready to fill them in on how you are meeting and exceeding your goals.

No threats - Making threats to leave or say that you are being offered another position will most likely do harm. This will only help your manager see that you have been looking at other options, rather than focusing on staying with them — and they may actually start looking at ways to replace you.

If for some reason you do not get the raise, try to accept it gracefully and ask what the reasons are that you did not get it. There may be many reasons why (and a huge one right now is the economy), so you may need to have a little patience. Overreacting may do more damage than good and you could wind up with no job at all. You will need to decide if it is worth the wait and whether you need to continue doing a good job — or if it is time to look for a new position.

Have you ever asked for a raise? How was the outcome?

Wade Jones is the co-founder of TruYuu, an online service that helps people present themselves as more than just a resume to employers. You can connect with Wade and the TruYuu team on Facebook and Twitter.